Photocontrol enclosure and support



Dec. 16, 1969 E. R. ELLIOTT 3,484,537

PHOTQCONTROL ENCLOSURE AND SUPPORT Filed March 5, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 -"Hum" INVENTOR, NE R. ELLIOTT AGENT Dec. 16, 196-9 7 uo -r 3,484,537

PHOTOOONTROL ENCLOSURE AND SUPPORT Filed March 5, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4

l N VENTOR. EUGENE R ELLIOTT AGENT United States Patent PHOTOCONTROL ENCLOSURE AND SUPPORT Eugene R. Elliott, Libertyville, Ill., assignor to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jerse y Filed Mar. 3, 1969, Ser. No. 803,803

Int. Cl. H021) 1/10 U.S. Cl. 174-61 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An articulatable support and enclosure structure. for connecting an electrical device, such as a photocontrol, to rigid conduit shielded electric conductors comprising a junction box having a pipe fitting at one end for connection to the rigid conduit and an opening for the conductors shielded thereby, a support platform for the electrical device and having a tubular stem pivotally connected to the junction box by a threaded fastener extending through enlarged opening in adjacent portions of the stern and box providing an annular passage for the electrical leads of the device from the stem to the box for connection therein to the conductors.

This invention relates generally to support means for photocontrols and the like more particularly to articulatable support means for use. with rigid conduit shielded electric lines.

Photocontrols of the type concerned are mounted outof-doors to provide electric signals when the ambient light intensity varies beyond a predetermined level. Such photocontrols are normally mounted on a base and enclosed within a plastic cover which is connected to the. base and has a window portion for admitting ambient light to the photocell or other light responsive device of the photocontrol.

When such photocontrols are provided for street lighting, terminals are normally provided which extend through the base for reception in a socket. Such photocontrols and sockets facilitate rapid servicing of street lighting which is required for public utilities, but are relatively high in cost which, in many instances, is excessive when the photocontrol is required for building or display lighting, Therefore, for these installations, the base is normally provided with a threaded pipe connection with lead wires extending therethrough. The lead wires are connected to conductors within piping to which the photocontrol base is connected. While this type of installation is less costly than the plug-in type, many and varied pipe fittings must be available to accomplish such connections and to insure proper positioning of the photocontrol. It has also been found that to make such installations are time consuming and subject the plastic covers and the photocontrols to possible damage when making requisite pipe con nections.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide means to facilitate mounting a photocontrol on a rigid conduit enclosing wire conductors and connecting the conductors to the electrical leads of the photocontrol.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the foregoing means with adjustments to facilitate proper positioning of the photocontrol for adequate reception of ambient light.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the foregoing means which is arranged to enclose the conductor connections.

And another object of the present invention is to provide articulated meas for mounting an electrical device on the rigid conduit of a conduit shielded electric line and for housing the connections of the leads of the mounted device to the conductors of the line.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an articulatable junction box/feed-through arrangement for electrical conductors enclosed in a rigid conduit.

The present invention contemplates an articulata'ble enclosure for conductor connections rigid conduit shielded electric line, comprising an elongated hollow cubiform defining a chamber for enclosing conductor connections and having at least one open side for access into the chamber for making such connections; the cubiform having a pair of spaced elongated side walls and a pair of end walls eX- tending between the side walls defining the open side of the cubiform; one of the end walls having an opening therethrough for the conductors of the electric line. and means encircling the opening for connecting said cubiform to the rigid conduit shielding of the electric line; one of the side walls having an opening therethrough adjacent the other end wall and an annular series of irregularities in its outer surface encircling the opening, and the other side wall having an opening therethrough aligned with the opening encircled by the irregularities on an axis substantially normal to the side walls; a tubular feed-through for conductors to be connected to the conductors of the electric line open at one end and closed at its other end; the feed-through having a flat wall portion and an opening at its closed end through each the fiat wall portion and a wall spaced therefrom which are aligned with each other on an axis substantially normal with the flat wall portion; the flat wall portion having an annular series of irregularities in its outer surface. encircling the opening therethrough and corresponding to the irregularities of the side wall; threaded fastener means extending through the openings of the feed-through and side walls pivotally connecting the feed-through and cubiform together with the fiat wall portion and its irregularities in face-to-face relationship with the one of the. side Walls and its irregularities, and when tightened causes the irregularities to engage each other and thereby preventing pivotation between the feedthrough and cubiform; and the openings encircled by irregularities being spaced from the fastener means thereby providing an annular passage for conductors from the feed-through to the chamber defined by the cubiform.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description wherein one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for illustration purposes only and is not to be construed as defining the limits of the invention.

FIGURES l and 2 are side and front elevational views, respectively, of supporting means for a photocontrol made in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the novel supporting means.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a view of the photocontrol supporting base, half in side elevation and half in section taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 3, and

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the junction box as viewed along the plane 6-6 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to the drawings, the novel articulatable support and connecting means comprise a base member 10 pivotably connected to an enclosure 0r junction box 20 for conductor connections. A photocontrol (not shown) is normally mounted on the circular platform or disc portion 11 within a suitable cover C which is connected in any suitable manner (not shown) to the base member 10 and has a window W for passing light to the light responsive element of the photocontrol.

The platform portion 11 has a recessed central portion 12 for receiving the wire leads or conductors (not shown) of the photocontrol which are to be passed through a hollow stem 13 of the pivotable or base member 10. The stem portion 13, is of generally semi-circular cross-section defining a similarly shaped axial passage or feed-through 14 which opens through the recessed platform portion 12 and is closed at the other end of the stem. While the semicircular cross-section of the stem 13 and its feed-through 14 is a preferred configuration, any hollow cross-section with a fiat face portion would be suitable. Accordingly, the stem 13 is provided with an elongated fiat wall or face 15 and a semi-circular wall 18 defining the side and back limits of the feed-through 14. The flat wall 15 is provided with a relatively large opening 16 encircled by a series of deformations, irregularities or serrations 17 forming a circular serrated socket at the closed end of the stem 13 remote from the platform 11. The wall 18 is provided with a relatively small opening 19 aligned with the opening 16 on an axis normal the fiat wall 15.

The connection enclosure or junction box 20 is an elongated hollow cubiform generally similar to those presently available in that it forms an elongated case having one open side which, after connection of conductors therein has been made, is closed by a cover plate 31 with fasteners 33 at its ends 28 and 29. To facilitate description, the open side of the box 20 will be considered as its top which preferably is provided with a seal 32 beneath the plate 31 because the novel support and connection means should be capable of protecting the enclosed electrical connections from inclement weather conditions.

The junction box 20 has a pair of side walls 21 and 24 extending between the ends walls 28 and 29. The wall 21 .is provided with a relatively large opening 22 through an externally serrated or otherwise deformed boss -portion 23 adjacent the upper end 28, as viewed in the drawings, forming an annulus with an irregular surface which is received in the formed socket and engages the serrations 17 in the stem face 15. A thin or foil-like ring (not shown) of a soft deformable material such as a plastic or lead may be provided between the serrated annuli 17 and 23 to seal the irregular interface.

The wall 24 may be equally spaced along its full length from the wall 21. However, for practical purposes and for added strength it has been found preferable to provide the wall 24 with a jog or an off-set portion 25 to reduce the space between its upper portion 26 and the wall 21. The upper portion 26 of the wall 24 is provided with a relatively small opening 27 aligned with the opening 22 on an axis normal to the wall 21.

When the serrated boss 23 has been fitted into the formed serrated socket 16-17, the base 10 and the junction box 20 are pivotally connected and clamped together against pivotation by a threaded fastener which extends through the openings 19, 16, 22 and 27. The fastener 35 may be provided with a not (not shown) but, preferably, threadedly engages one of the smaller openings 19 or 27 which, in this instance, is the opening 27 in the upper portion 26 of wall 24. As will now be understood, the offset portion 25 limits the area and strengthens the wall portion 26 against forces exerted thereon by the fastener 35.

The lower end wall 29 is open and is provided with an internally threaded boss 30 forming a female pipe connector at the other end of the junction box 20 opposite from the base 11. As shown in FIGURES 4 to 6, the larger openings 16 and 22 in the walls 15 and 21, respectively, provide an annular passage around the fastener 35. It now should be readily realized that while a preferred embodiment of the present invention is for mounting and connecting photocontrols the broader aspects of the invention is to provide an articulatable junction box/feedthrough to facilitate making electrical and adjustable mechanical connections in a rigid conduit shielded electric line. Although not shown, the stern portion 13 may be formed as a male or female pipe fitting in place of having the platform 11.

To mount and electrically connect a photocontrol in accordance with the present invention, the photocontrol would be suitably mounted on the platform portion 11 of the base 10 with its wire leads being threaded into the lead-through 14 and exiting therefrom through the opening 16 of the face or wall 15 of the stem 13.

The conductors of a shielded electric line are inserted into the junction box 20 through the threaded boss 30 which is then connected to the end of the shielding conduit. In this manner, the requisite pipe connection is made prior to connection of the base 10 to the junction box 20 thereby eliminating the possibility of damaging the photocontrol or the cover C. Inasmuch as the supporting pipe or conduit is normally disposed vertically, and a thread filler or cement is usually used, orientation of the photocontrol can be accomplished when making this pipe connection.

The wire leads extending from the stem 13 are now inserted through the opening 22 of the wall 20 and the base 10 is connected to the mounted junction box 20 by the fastener 35. The mechanical connection is now complete and the wire leads are connected to the appropriate conductors in the junction box 20 which is then closed by the seal 32 and the cover plate 31 with the screws 33. The photocontrol can be adjusted in elevation to adjust its light level response merely by loosening the fastener 35.

The photocontrol can be removed for repair or replacement with facility merely by removal of the cover plate 31, breaking the electrical connections and removal of the fastener 35.

Although but a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Various changes may also be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as the same will now be understood by those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. An articulatable connection and enclosure means for rigid conduit shielded electrical conductors, comprising an elongated cubiform member defining a conductor connection chamber and having at least one open side for access into the chamber,

said cubiform member having means at one end adapted for connection to a rigid conduit shield and for passing the electrical conductors shielded by the conduit into the chamber,

an electric conductor feed-through member with a flat wall portion, having an open end with connecting means and being closed at its other end,

threaded fastener means extending through said closed end and the other end of said cubiform member pivotally connecting said members together with the flat wall portion at said closed end overlying in faceto-face relationship at said other end a portion of a side wall of said cubiform member adjacent said open side,

said overlying wall portions having aligned Openings providing an annular passage therethrough around said fastener means for conductors from within said feed-through member to said chamber and cooperating surface irregularities at the faces thereof encircling said openings which engage each other and prevent relative pivotation between said member when said fastener means is tightened.

2. The articulatable connection and enclosure means in accordance with claim 1, and further comprising a cover for said open side,

a seal disposed between said open side and cover, and

means for releasably connecting said cover to said cubiform member thereby sealingly closing said open side thereof.

3. The articulatable connection and enclosure means in accordance with claim 2, and

said connection means at the open end of said feedthrough member being a pipe fitting.

4. The articulatable connection and enclosure means in accordance with claim 2, and

said connection means at the open end of said feedthrough member being a disc shaped mounting platform disposed substantially normal to the axis of said feed-through member.

5. The articulatable connection and enclosure means in accordance with claim 4, and

said mounting platform having a central recess, and

said open end being open to said recess.

6. An articulatable support and enclosure structure for conduit shielded electric conductors, comprising an elongated cubiform member defining a conductor connection chamber and having at least one open side for access into the chamber,

said cubiform having first and second side walls spaced from each other, and first and second end walls each extending between said side walls to define said open side,

said first end Wall having means adapted for connection to a conduit shield and an opening therethrough for the electric conductors shielded by such a conduit,

said first side wall having an opening therethrough adjacent said second end wall and surface irregularities at its outer surface encircling said opening,

said second side wall having an opening therethrough aligned with the opening through said first side wall on an axis substantially normal to said side walls,

a support member having a tubular feed-through closed at one end and provided at its other end with a platform disposed in a plane substantially normal to the axis of said feed-through,

said feed-through having a flat Wall portion with an opening therethrough at said closed end and an opening through another wall portion aligned with each other on an axis substantially normal to said fiat wall portion,

said flat wall portion having surface irregularities at its outer surface encircling the opening therethrough,

threaded fastener means extending through said openings of said feed-through and said first and second side walls thereby pivotally connecting said members together with said openings and surface irregularities of said fiat wall portion and first side wall disposed in face-to-face alignment,

said openings through said flat wall portion and first side wall being larger in diameter than said fastener means thereby providing an annular passage connecting said chamber and feed-through, and said surface irregularities engaging each other when said fastener means is tightened thereby providing an interface preventing relative pivotation between said members. 7. The articulatable support and enclosure structure in accordance with claim 6, further comprising a cover for closing said open side, a seal disposed between said open side and said cover,

and fastener means for releasably connecting said cover to said cubiform member. 8. The articulatable support and enclosure structure in accordance with claim 7, and

the surface irregularities of one of said outer Wall surfaces being recessed and providing a circular socket, and the surface irregularities of the other of said outer wall surfaces extending outwardly therefrom and providing a circular shoulder received in said socket. 9. The articulatable support and enclosure structure in accordance with claim 7, and

said second side wall having an offset portion intermediate its ends with the portion thereof between said offset portion and said second end wall being substantially parallel and spaced closer to said first side wall than the portion thereof between said offset portion and said second end wall. 10. The articulatable support and enclosure structure in accordance with claim 7, and

the opening of one of said second side wall and said other wall portion being threaded and engaged by the threads of said fastener means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,647,187 11/1927 Moore 174----86 2,362,148 l1/ 1944 Naysmith 174-86 3,243,497 3/ 1966 Kendall et al. 17461 DARRELL L. CLAY, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

